Etymology Map
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Brief

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means lasting a short time

Where does the word "brief" come from? It comes from Latin brevis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
brevis
Latin · ancient
"short"
the root of 'abbreviate' and 'brevity'
2
Stage 2 of 3
brief
Old French · medieval
"short"
also a short letter or legal summary
3
Stage 3 of 3
brief
English · 1300s
"short"
a lawyer's 'brief' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Brief’s story begins in Latin: brevis meant “short.” The root of 'abbreviate' and 'brevity'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as brief. Also a short letter or legal summary. It reached English by 1300s as brief. A lawyer's 'brief' dates from the 1600s. Today, brief means lasting a short time.